Picking up where I last left off, Oskar arrives home from school on 9/11 and he finds that his dad has left several messages on the answering machine. The book so far has been post-9/11, but now it is before/during 9/11. It took a little bet adjusting to, but there wasn’t much of a problem with this change of time. I really like how Froer wrote Oskar’s character and how his thoughts/dialogue are the main part of the book, because the kid knows TONS of stuff.
One thing that I wasn’t expecting was in the next chapter, the book changes pace and seems to totally change point of view. Now we are viewing the book from a silent man who gradually “lost his words” as he grew up. This man describes meeting his wife and being asked to marry her right away, which was quite strange. I don’t know if it’s just a story he’s telling or if it’s actually true, because it switches back to Oskar after this chapter.
It’s hard imagining living without being able to speak. I think Froer does a very good job of conveying that obstacle to the reader though. The man writes replies and questions and phrases on different pages of blank books and uses them to communicate with people. Changing characters like this so quickly though wasn’t a good choice I don’t think though, but I think it’ll be easy to grow accustomed to if it keeps happening. The book gets more and more interesting every time I read it apparently, which is always a good thing!
This book sounds really really good! I want to read it and then watch the movie that is going to come out. To see how close the movie came to the book. But personally I believe books are always better than the movies anyway.
ReplyDeleteI think the man who lost his words is Oskar's Grandfather. They go back and forth between the generations surrounding Oskar's father. You can feel the weight of the lost of words, it made me feel like not talking! I Think Foer provides a very interesting look into Oskar's story, this is a lot more than the depressing Post 9/11 book I was expecting.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have read the book first! I saw the movie and it was amazing but I don't really like watching to movie then reading to book because I almost see it as pointless. I agree with you saying it must have been hard living without being able to speak it I can't imagine what I would do if it happened to me!
ReplyDeleteI am reading this book too! No way!! Well now that that is out of the way. :) This part I really liked too. Oskar is such a curious kid. I didn't realize at first that this was his grandather and it is kind of neat that you do not know this man at present time, but you get an oversight at was his life used to be.
ReplyDeleteFirst, i don't mean to criticize, but it's bit not bet. and as a reply to the comment you left me, she was only 10. not yet a yong adult. But other than that? i like it. get's me interested. i'll read it when i get the chance this summer. mom has me reading so many books, that it's hard to read anything else.
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